Katherine Flores shared this delicious dish at out international dinner activity. We all loved it!
Jocón or pollo en jocón is a dish popular in Guatemala. Chicken or pork is simmered in a tasty sauce tinted a beautiful green by tomatillos and cilantro
base.
4 to 6 servings
INGREDIENTS
· Chicken or pork or both, cut into serving pieces -- 2 1/2 to 3 pounds
· Water -- 4 cups
· Salt -- 2 teaspoons
· Garlic-- 2 cloves
· Big Onion – 1
· Corn tortilla, chopped, soaked in water, drained -- 1
· Slice of bread, chopped, soaked in water, drained -- 1
· Tomatillos, hulled and chopped -- 1 cup
· Cilantro, chopped -- 1 bunch
· Scallions, chopped -- 1 bunch
· Green bell pepper –1
· Celery stalks – 2
· Lettuce – 2 leafs
METHOD
1. Place the chicken, water and salt into a large pot over medium-high flame. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 30 minutes to 1 hour.
2. Remove the chicken to a bowl and strain and set aside the broth.
3. Add the garlic, onion, tortillas, bread, tomatillos, cilantro, scallions, bell pepper, celery and lettuce to a pan and use some of the chicken broth a cook it for 5 minutes until everything is tender. Then add everything to a food processor or blender. Add 1 cup of the reserved broth and process until smooth. If using a blender you may have to do this step in batches.
4. Return the chicken to the pot. Pour over pureed sauce and add 1 to 1 1/2 cups of the remaining broth to give it a sauce-like consistency.
5. Heat over medium-low flame and simmer for an additional 15-25 minutes. Adjust seasoning and serve.
JOCON VARIATIONS
· Leave the chicken pieces whole if you prefer.
· Can do it with chicken, pork or beef. My preference is with all of them….mmmmm!
· Use any remaining broth to make rice to accompany the meal.
